Works of Art, Creating Our Handmade Silver and Copper DESIDERATUM Art Jewelry, Architectural Creations and Other Projects ....
and Musings of Living a Frugal Artistic Country Life in Central New Brunswick, Canada

Gwen, your line drawings are incredible. Those close ups are great. I'm a sucker for any kind of animal, so your Borzoi description was a treat. But your illustration was FANTASTIC!! :-)Happy new year Gwen. The best to you in 2012.xoxo

Wow, that must be one impressive hound to be around... is this a friend of yours ? Did he sit still long enough for you draw this, or is from a photo maybe? Sounds like he would be off in a flash to chase any passing squirrel...

Wonderful I had a friend who bred Borzoi's. I always had a wolfhound, greyhound cross when we were first married, known as kangaroo dogs, they were lovely.I am searching for the right dog to rehome as I lost my last one. Nothing like my dear Jake around at the moment, seem to mostly be staffy cross and I dont want one of those. Maybe will have to go back to a working dog.

Thanks Steven, you just might be.. haha... but that is ok.. means you're a free thinking individual... and we need free-thinkers.I always wanted a crow, a monkey and a donkey... don't know why I wanted the donkey..

Pauline, I think I kind of relate to the Borzoi in the training department (not keen on following rules).. funny how we see qualities in animals that we see in ourselves... guess we are all based on carbon.

Beautiful rendering and description. Although I am presently a feline fancier I grew up with dogs and still love them dearly. I have to admit that the description of their temperament sounds awfully like the last couple of 'bundlers' I've been involved with.

I've always admired Russian wolfhounds, although you don't see them around much. They are so elegant and graceful looking. I adore a big dog. Heck...I adore all dogs...but prefer the ones big enough to hug.

Thank you Deborah, Jacky and Shayla, we have a little dog about the size of a Wolfhounds head and he jumped out the car window to bark at a wolfhound... the big dog could have eaten our pip-squeak for breakfast... but he held his cool or maybe it was just because the owner was holding him on a leash.

Hi Claire, yes dogs that need to use their independent thinking to perform their jobs have those bred in the bone characteristics. The Maremma are gorgeous.. I once had a Tibetan Mastiff.. big dog, long black wavy coat, stubborn but for the same reason.. they were bred to do and think for themselves.. they were also very lovable.. but very protective..

Not much knowledge of dogs Gwen, not because i was bitten by them twice, had a couple of cats, who did not know how to obey. They just stayed by my side ignoring my commands. One chap was very fond of watching me.

i am so impressed with your sketches Gwen, wish i had your talent. its too late to learn at the end of my life.

Hi my dear Rauf,You are much too kind and it is never too late.. it is only too late when we are gone. I admire much your talent!

I was bitten by a dog when I was 7 when i was bending down, saying what a nice dog he was, and right then, he bite me.. right on the mouth.. had to run all the way home with blood running down my clothes.. I remember I was carrying a loaf of bread in a brown paper bag and it was all soggy when I got home, freaked out my mother...lucky it didn't make much of a scar. Scared me to death, I can still remember how hard and fast my heart beat.

yes cats are a very independent lot.. mostly do what they want, when they want.. a totally different mindset than dogs.. I do love both species but I don't like cleaning litter-boxes...

I have met only a handful of these most elegant and regal dogs over here Gwen....and each one has had me totally smitten.....as does your amazing line drawing. Happy week~end to you and your loved ones :~)

To use that colourful New Brunswick expression, "boys oh borzoi!" You sure did capture a lot of character in that portrait.(Actually, the expression is "boys oh boys, eh"...Thought I should tell you, just in case it's a turn of phrase that didn't make it across to your side of the bay.)

Thank you Helen, Happy Sunday to you.. is it nice enough to ride your motorbike today?.. you'd need snow tires on it if you were here.. and a snowsuit and mitts and..... well maybe it would be better by the fire...

Louciao.. you are funny.. boys oh boys!! haha.. my dad used to say that.. ..he never swore.... it was multi use... he could use it as "boys oh boys, Look at that sunset!" or... "Boys oh Boys, You're gonna get it now"... either way it brought forth an emotional response.. pretty useful simple phrase huh?!!

Thank you George, You are altogether too kind... Drawing is always a surprise.. never know what will appear once the pen hits the paper..

Thank you Jeri, you amazing artist you... I would love to spend time with your sketchbooks too.. You capture every one of your characters and the detailed backgrounds with such charm, skill and imagination... It is sheer pleasure to see.

Riveting sketch, was searching for LGD's, this popped up and just had to see more. Just from the glimpses of thumbnails teasers, I know I will happily wander around your site. I choose art like I choose hardbacked books. Would I still find this fresh in twenty years. YES!!! You convey personality so well. Thanks for sharing your gifts.

Thank you SF, so nice to have you visit here. You say you were looking up info on LGD's.. twenty years ago, I had a Tibetan Mastiff... beautiful big black full coated dog. Her name was Charcoal. Miss her.

Our Little Old Homestead

*** 2018 - The SABBATICAL - oh my, the Excitement ***

After 25 years of creating our whimsical Desideratum Art Jewelry, we are taking a Sabbatical. Yes, indeed... we have waited a long time for this. The freedom to explore and experiment with abandon and to indulge ourselves in the many fields of creativity that have been simmering away on the back burner.

John will be centering himself in his Painting studio... Oil painting to be specific. I will have my hands in sheep fleece, textiles, drawing, gardening etc.... and we will occasionally make some jewelry pieces in limited and one-of designs,of course. The prospect of the coming year is Exhilarating to say the least. Things will be humming here.

Thank You so very much to Everyone, Individuals and Shop Owners, who have followed our work all these years... we dearly appreciate it... we hope to have lots more things to share in this next chapter of our lives.

The Muses

Sorry... Sold-Out

......My Inspirational Muse .......The DESIDERATA .......

Go Placidly Amid The Noise And Haste and Remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; And listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; They too have their story...

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you will become vain and bitter; For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans...

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism...

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass...

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself...

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should...

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul...

With all the sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.......